To busk is to play music or otherwise entertain people in a public place for tips.

Many musicians get their start by busking, and some famous musicians take to the streets just for fun. When he was young, Beck busked his way around Europe and L.A. Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders asked The Violent Femmes to open for them after seeing them busking in Milwaukee. Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Simon and Garfunkel, Louis Armstrong, B. B. King, Norah Jones, Billie Holiday, Bon Jovi, Sting and Lou Reed have all played their music on downtown streets. In 2007, Joshua Bell played in the subway of Washington, D.C.

Buskers are a big part of what makes urban areas so fun. They invite us out of our iPods. They help make downtown beautiful.

In short, it's a respectable way to live one's art.

No permits are needed to busk in Portland. You should have no trouble from business owners or the police as long as you abide by the Street Musician Partnership Agreement and the sidewalk obstruction laws.